Depression affects the way people feel, think and act. It often turns their lives upside-down, causing severe problems at home, at work, in school and with friendships or relationships. Some people may experience sadness for a few days following a negative event. But d\epression, also called major depression or clinical depression, can last for weeks, months or even years, according to the University Health Services at the University of California, Berkeley.
Emotional Effects
People with depression have chronic feelings of sadness, anxiety or emptiness, the National Institute of Mental Health explains. Hopelessness and pessimism may dominate their daily lives. Feelings of guilt, worthlessness or helplessness can be overwhelming. The despair interferes with the activities or hobbies they once enjoyed, and they may not participate in them anymore. Depression causes difficulty in concentrating, making decisions or remembering things. In extreme cases, people have thoughts of death or suicide.
Physical Effects
Depression often results in irritability and restlessness. Some people may feel drained of energy and become fatigued. Insomnia or sleeping too much may result from depression. Eating patterns can change, leading to either overeating or loss of appetite. Some people with depression develop chronic aches, pains, headaches, cramps or intestinal disorders. Treatment for these problems does not ease the symptoms.
Coexisting Conditions
Depression may occur with other disorders. Depression may cause the illnesses or become a consequence of them. Anxiety disorders that often accompany depression include generalized anxiety, social phobias, panic attacks, post-traumatic stress disorder or obsessive-compulsive disorder. People with depression may also suffer from alcohol or drug abuse. The depression either precedes or results from the abuse. Depression also occurs with medical illnesses, such as heart disease, stroke, cancer or other diseases.
Lifestyle Consequences
Depression can severely disrupt every area of a person's life, according to MayoClinic.com. Relationship difficulties and family conflicts arise. People with depression may choose to become socially isolated, cutting themselves off from family, friends and coworkers. They may reach a point of being unable to function in the routines they once performed, which interferes with their jobs or work at school. They can develop attitudes that these activities are pointless or won't change anything. Their outlook on life becomes continually negative and even life-threatening if they do not seek treatment.
